Centreville earns "Main Street" Designation!

Downtown Centreville

Just this week, the Governor announced that Centreville was one of only three Maryland Communities to join "Main Street Maryland".

Main Street Maryland is comprehensive downtown revitalization program, which has been nationally recognized model for Smart Growth.

This program was created in 1998, and before Centreville was added, there were 23 communities in 16 counties statewide.  This is the first Main Street Maryland designation in Queen Anne's County.  According to the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development, this program has resulted in the opening of 1,392 new businesses and the creation of 5,574 new jobs.

One of the successful downtown Block Parties on West Water St.

"Paint the Town Pink" Breast Cancer Awareness Event

This effort was started in 2009, with the creation of "Centreville Alive!", a downtown business association.  Centreville Alive (www.centrevillealive.org), has sponsored many annual activities, including a summer time block party, "Paint the Town Pink" events, Fall Festivals, Christmas Tree decorating on Lawyer's Row, and "A Taste of Centreville".

Kara Snyder, President of Centreville Alive, along with Centreville Alive Board Member Gene Magary present a $4000.00 check to the Town Council to help defer costs for the annual 4th of July Fireworks

This designation will enable the town to be eligible for special state grants for economic revitalization.  We will also hire a Main Street Manager who will be responsible for economic redevelopment, attracting new businesses to town, and coordinating town & business activities.

"Strong main streets with thriving business districts and neighborhoods are the foundation for healthy, sustainable communities," said Governor Martin O’Malley. "These three towns will be great additions to the Main Street Maryland program due to their strong commitment to downtown revitalization, and they will surely serve as great examples of Smart, Green & Growing communities."

"I’m happy to welcome Centreville, Ocean City and Sykesville to the Main Street Maryland program," said Maryland DHCD Secretary Raymond Skinner. "With public and private investment in our traditional commercial districts, we can enable entrepreneurship and job creation in these communities. The Main Street Maryland program has a proven track record of using precious state resources to support local strategies and expertise as well as leveraging community resources to create a better future for our cities and towns."

The Town Council looks forward to it's continued commitment to the economic revitalization of Downtown Centreville, and the entire commercial district.